St. George, Utah
1939 - 2013 (Age 74)
John R. Simkins
St. George, UT
John R. Simkins, age 74, of St. George, UT, passed away suddenly Friday, December 27, 2013, while doing what he loved, mountain biking. "Big Johns" heart just could not keep up with his strong body.
He was born October 1, 1939, in Cedar City, Utah to Raymond and Mae Simkins. Growing up in Parowan, Utah with his sister Dorothy (Lynn) Griffin (Dec'd) and three brothers, Kenneth Dean (Becky) Simkins, Gary Evans (Linda) Simkins, and Jody Michael (Kris) Simkins.
He graduated from Parowan High School where he was an exceptional athlete playing football and basketball. John accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of Utah where he graduated with a Masters in Accounting.
While attending the U of U he met his love and best friend, Drusilla "Drue" Jean Dewey Simkins. They married March 17, 1967, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they lived in Salt Lake City, Layton, Perry, and St. George, Utah. He had a career as an accountant in the aerospace industry retiring from Thiokol / ATK.
John and Drue have four children, Thomas Raymond (Kristy) Simkins, Cristine Simkins, David Owen (April) Simkins, Daniel Dewey Simkins and three grandchildren, Nicklaus, Savannah and Cole Simkins.
John had an incredible love for life and a passion for playing basketball, riding mountain and road bikes. He was always laughing, joking and spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling with Drue. John was a big man in size and personality. Big John is loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Parowan LDS Chapel, 59 South 100 West, Parowan, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Interment will take place at Parowan Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.SereniCareofStGeorge.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home, St. George, UT, 986-2085.
Dear Dru,
Karl and I were so sorry to hear of John's passing. It really shocked Karl. Got him to thinking of all the time they spent carpooling to ATK and the friendship they developed. Please accept our sincere sympathy and know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karl and Missye Eckhardt
January 06, 2014 | Perry, UT
Drue...We have been praying for you and your family during this time of sorrow. We love you, and are so very sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful guy, and I know he will be greatly missed by many.
Sue Sixkiller
January 02, 2014 | Oklahoma City, OK
Dear Drue and family. Please know we are thinking of you in your time of sorrow. John was a good friend and co-worker at Thiokol. We are living in Salt Lake for a few months and unable to attend the services but we share your grief.
Jack and Sharon Webster
January 01, 2014
Love you and appreciated your friendship, RIP Big John
Paul K Edmunds
December 31, 2013 | Mapleton, UT
